One day, Carrillo stopped by and mentioned that he liked a 2001 Ford Expedition that was in the tow yard and wanted it for his wife, Brian Miller testified.

Carrillo then asked Brian Miller if he would "make a deal," in which Carrillo would pull over vehicles while out on patrol, order the cars be towed by Miller's Towing, and get free cars in exchange.

Prosecutors said Carrillo made a lot of unnecessary traffic stops to carry out this scheme. He also intentionally did not follow the police department's policy of calling dispatch before ordering a vehicle to be impounded. Brian Miller said Carrillo got him 20 cars in just one weekend.

Carrillo received eight cars for free, prosecutors said, and he either sold them for cash or gave them away to other police officers.

Prosecutors said Bruce Miller was eventually looped into the scheme when Carrillo arraigned for the chief to receive a 1995 Nissan Maxima for free that was seized in a drug bust.

District Attorney Dean Flippo said the scheme targeted the most vulnerable residents in King City. Car owners never got their cars back because they could not afford to pay impound fees or could not speak English.

"The victims were economically disadvantaged persons of Hispanic descent who were targeted by having their vehicles impounded, towed and stored by Miller's Towing," Flippo said in February.

"Some officers dishonored their badge. Any time you end up investigating those who are sworn to uphold the law and treat everyone fairly -- and you have violations of that oath -- that is difficult," Flippo said.